Awaken to the Morning Birds and prepare to be swept away from the ordinary. Forged from an uncanny mixture of diverse musical styles, this band’s music is as innovative as it is accessible. Powerful bass lines, lush harmonies and soulful strings are complimented by break beats, trumpets, and cascading keys as Jennifer Thorington and Samuel Markus weave their stunning harmonies into sublime pop.

The Morning Birds have been pioneering their signature sound since they released their low-fi masterpiece, Inspiration Point, 3 years ago. After last year’s The Quickening they have returned with the pared down EP, Surrender to This, a work that gives free range to their daring eclecticism. Primary songwriters Jenn And Sam have a marvelous yin and yang synergy: one part classic pop, one part emotive rock and roll swagger. Their experimental leanings make things all the more interesting; it’s as if Queen met Animal Collective in the back of Tin Pan Alley.

From the soft hues of “Your Heart” to the dark disco groove of “Born To Be Alive,” the Morning Birds show no signs of creative lethargy. This new material is as focused and energized as anything they’ve done to date. Certain songs spring forth like they have been caged up for years waiting for the appropriate audience to enthrall and entertain, while others soothingly crescendo and shower down like a warm summer rain.

Above all, this is music with a message. Most of the album’s lyrical content focuses on staying centered in our hearts and surrendering to what is. When (on the album’s opener, “Yellow Moon”) they sing, “all things material and spiritual originate from one source the original,” it is as though they are letting us in on some sort of cosmic secret while at the same time gently reminding us of the obvious.

As their name suggests, the Morning Birds have come to help wake us up. Not with a ten-gun salute, but with a melodic, uninhibited sound reminiscent of songbirds heralding the dawn, calling us gently from our sleep into the light of a new day.

"If there ain't something in that little lot to get you shimmying, you ain't got ears."

- Burdz Eye View

"One thing this album does quite well is the integration of this retro aesthetic into the songwriting. The title track features a Latin-flavored guitar strum and hand claps that are so Beatles circa 1964, while “Born to Be Alive” is a fun, up-tempo song with a strong rockabilly flair."

Consequence of Sound

"Born To Be Alive, which skips along on the back of a groove so funky that it sounds like it was kidnapped from a 1970s New York disco and dragged into the new Millennium. Add the doo-wop harmonies and slinky percussion and we have a song that is so sure to put a smile on your face it could come with a money back guarantee."

- The Mad Mackerel

"...they create soundscapes that paint a perfect summer picture positive beats that remind me of a day in the sand. The Morning Birds know how to create a feel-good vibe, and their latest record Surrender to This is backing that statement up."

- Pens Eye View

"They make running a music site like this worthwhile and however overwhelmingly biased we are towards them, we will not make any apologies. Check them out, they are delightful, its official."

- Beehive Candy Jan 2012

"Surrender to This" reviewed:

"The duo experiment a little more with beats and harmonies on this new release, especially on the up tempo pop sounding “Born To Be Alive.” The Morning Birds revert back to their folk-pop sound on the song “Treasure,” while the vocals of Jennifer Thorington really begin to take-off."

JP's Music Blog

"It's Then You'll Know - Spooky, sexy sixties inspired siren complete with a sped-up gothic breakdown, this video has it all!

- The Deli Magazine

The Deli Magazine & INDMUSIC select "It's Then You'll Know" to be screened at CMJ 2011!

"The Morning Birds cinematic tones make you feel as if you're floating on a cumulous cloud at daybreak being transported to another time and place like a willing Dorothy and Toto. 'The Quickening' weaves Jennifer Thorington and Samuel Markus' stunning vocals around a complex yet comforting piece of sublime pop - call the control center and ask for clearance 'cause this one makes me want to break into airplane pose and fly away."

-Yoga Shelter, Shelter Sounds

Featured on CMJ's New Music Monthly April 2011 AND weekly download for over 1 MONTH and counting!

"The Quickening has slyly seduced us over the past few days and weeks with its infectious blend of sunny harmonies and groovy rhythms."

- The Mad Mackerel, part 2

"The duo of Jennifer Thorington and Samuel Markus have created one of the most creative independent music groups of the last two years."

- My Record Journal

"It is one of those records that has gradually grown and grown on us and is full of lovely harmonies and rich, warm instrumentation that reminds us of duos like She & Him, but is altogether more joyful and uplifting these two are what we would have once called hippies, and they are all the better for it!"

- Mad Mackerel, part 1

...they write pure, fantastic songs reminiscent of the best male-female duos in modern musics history. They have the pure joy of life present in Matt and Kim, the polish of She and Him and the intensity of the White Stripes."

- Reviews and the Rest

"The co-ed duo consists of Jennifer Thorington and Samuel Marcus who complement each others comforting vocals. ...a good option for setting the mood after coming home from a lively Saturday night..."

- Modern Mystery Blog

"The infectious tune and the playful, vibrant images combine to make Its Then Youll Know a video youll just have to share."

- Skope Magazine

"...the soft harmonies really stand out above the rhythmic drumming that seemingly ensures the pace is kept up before we softly drift away to something quite beautiful."

- 2011Candy

"If The Morning Birds were Bees they would defiantly be workers, because of what they are doing over time to build their brand. Unlike your typical music group; they are artist, designers and film makers. The Morning Birds are the one stop shop for anything you could ever ask for from a group in the music world"

- NRG Theory

"Hollywood's, The Morning Birds, are a polished and professional band spouting art at every turn. Its part folk, part rock, and all accessible. "

&

"It's great to hear varied production tactics, and these guys employ them nicely. ... easy with layered vocals and smoky with emotion. If the Doors were still releasing albums, these songs would be on it."

- Ross Christopher

I like the exclusive blend of tones and layered vocals they use; a unique style that is hard to categorize, which is one of their strongest features. "

- Talk with Tim